Unitary punch and die assembly



May 31, 1966 R. 1.. WEISBECK UNITARY PUNCH AND DIE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 27, 1964 FIG. 1

FIG. 2

INVENTOR. FIG. 3 RALPH LWEISBECK ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,253,493 UNITARY PUNCH AND DIE ASSEMBLY Ralph L. Weisbeck, Cheektowaga, N .Y., assignor to Punch Products Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 362,576 20 Claims. (Cl. 83-559) This invention relates to a unitary punch and die cutting assembly and more specifically to an improvement in the combination of such an assembly including an improved mechanism for securing such assemblies to the bed of any presswith which the assembly is suitable for use.

There are a variety of different mechanisms by which unitary punch and die cutting assemblies are retained or secured in rigid relationship one with another on the bed of a press, thereby to form a selected layout or arrangement for perforating and/or notching of sheet material. Usually the selected layout will be determined by a templet or pattern which will be used in one of several well-known combinations with, for example, T-slotted bed rails and coactive Tabolts by which the unitary punch and die assembly may be rigidly secured to the bed rail. Such a layout is then suitably positioned under the press bed.

It is well-known to provide magnets rigidly mounted in the bottom of unitized punch and die assemblies for magnetically securing such assemblies either to a templet or to the press bed.

It is one object of my invention to provide an improved punch and die assembly construction including a removable magnet for retaining each such assembly in a selected position on either a press bed or a templet overlying the press bed, either of which will be referred to hereinafter in the claims'as the press: bed.

It is a significant object of my invention to provide a removable magnet conveniently mounted in a horizontal opening extending through a unitary punch and die perforating assembly only for removal upwardly therefrom.

It is another object of my invention to provide a unitary punch and die assembly having a vertical slot adapted for receiving a removable magnet suitable for mounting the assembly on the press bed and adapted to receive standard T-rbolts suitable for mounting and T-slotted bed rails.

It is an important object of my invention to provide a unitary punch and die assembly including a magnet which is suitable for simultaneously securing the assembly to the press bed and securing an assembly positioning templet to the assembly, thereby to rigidly secure a plurality of unitary assemblies to the press bed and in selected positions relative to each other.

One advantage of making the magnet suitably removable from the punch and die assembly is to permit the magnet to be used with any one of a selected number of such assemblies. However, for a given number of layouts of perforating and notching units, it would only require a minimal number of such magnets, thereby greatly reducing the cost of purchasing a large number of assemblies for various combinations of layouts with different assemblies.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved punch and die notching assembly including a pair of conveniently removable magnets suitably mounted thereon for retaining the notching unit on the press bed.

Other objects and advantages of this invention Will be particularly set forth in the claims and will be apparent from the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top planar view of a first embodiment of my invention partly broken away as indicated by the arrows 11 in FIG. looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the FIG. 1 embodiment taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of my invention corresponding to the FIG. 2 view with parts FIG. 6 illustrates a combination of the FIG. 1, FIG. 4

and FIG. 5 embodiments of my invention with parts added including an assembly positioning templet.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, I have illustrated a unitary punch and die perforating assembly generally indicated by the numeral 10 generally defining a C configuration including an upper arm 12 and lower arm 14. The upper arm 12 has a vertical bore 15 slidably receiving a punch and stripping guide assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 16 which includesa punch guide and stripping sleeve 18 directly'slidable in bore 15 and a punch 19 slidable in sleeve 18, all of which is well-known in the art. A die 20 coactive with the punch 19 is mounted in the lower arm 14.

A significant feature of my invention is to provide a removable magnet adapted for removal from a unitary punch and die assembly, and to this end, I have illustrated an elongated, vertical opening or slot 24 in the lower arm 14 adapted to receive standard T-bolts suitable for securing the assembly onto a T-slotted bed rail in a known manner or for receiving a removable magnet 26 suitable for mounting the assembly on the press bed. Removable magnet 26 comprises a laminate of a ceramic magnet core 28 with two steel plates 29 bonded to the core. Such a laminate is sold under the trademark Erium 25 manufactured by Eriez Magnetics. A laminated magnet of this construction may be manufactured of a configuration to fit the slot 24 with sufficient magnetic power to retain the holder to the base. Such laminated magnets being well-known they do not constitute my invention per se.

Also, I provide an elongated vertical opening or slot 22 in the upper arm 12, of substantially the same size and in registry with the lower slot 24 as will be understood by the broken away view in FIG. 1.

It is necessary with my invention to provide means for retaining the magnet 26 in said assembly in such a manner as to magnetically retain the assembly on the press bed. In the first embodiment of my invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, I have fulfilled this by providing a pair of horizontally spaced transverse pins 30 and 31 serving as transverse abutments in the slot or a pair of coactive abutments or shoulder portions 32 and 33 formed on the magnet 26. Shoulder portions 32 and 33 are of such shape, size and configuration as to permit convenient removal of the magnet upwardly from the slot 24 and also engagement with the pins 30 and 31 respectively when the magnet is inserted into the assembly 10 until the lower end of the magnet 26 is flush with the bottom of the assembly 10 in a manner for magnetically retaining the assembly 10 on a templet or press bed 34 as illustrated.

It is desirable that the magnet 26 fit snugly enough in the slot or opening 24 and between pins 30 and 31 so that the assembly 10 will be magnetically retained on the templet 34 against inadvertent displacement after'it is positioned on the templet or press bed 34. However, it is also desirable that the magnet 26 not fit so snugly so as not to be conveniently removable from the slot 24.

It will be understood that the operator may conveniently feed the magnet 26 through the upper slot 22 and into the lower slot 24 in the engaged position with the pins 30 and 31 at which position it is thenadapted to magnetically retain the assembly 10 on the templet or press bed 34.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, lower arm 14 is provided with a pilot pin 36 rigidly mounted therein and adapted to be received in any selected one of a number of holes 38 in an assembly positioning templet 34; such pivot pins guarantee accuracy in positioning of the assembly 10 while it is the function of the magnet 26 to retain the assembly 10 on the templet 34 when positioned. However, as will be understood from the FIGS. 3, 4 and embodiments, the pilot pin 36 is not essential to my invention.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 I have shown a second and third preferred embodiment of my invention in which parts corresponding to the FIGS. 1 and 2 embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, followed by the suflix A. Unike the first embodiment above described, the FIG. 3 embodiment includes only a single transverse pin 40 positioned substantially midway between opposing ends of the elongated slot 24A. Intermediate the ends of the magnet 26A I provide a vertically extending slot 42 coactive with the transverse pin 40 to support the magnet in substantially the illustrated position. The close proximity of the ends of the magnet with respect to the opposite ends of the slot 24A prevents pivoting of the magnet about the pin 40. The magnet 26A is in this manner retained in the same position functionally as described with regards to the FIGS. 1 and 2 embodiment.

The important structural difference incorporated in the preferred embodiments illustrated in both FIGS. 3 and 4 resides in the fact that I have provided a magnet 26A extending upwardly into the throat defined by the upper arm 12A and lower arm 14A for receiving the workpiece. Thus, an upper surface or edge 43 of magnet 26A is adapted to be engaged by and magnetically retain an assembly positioning templet 47 when the templet is in proper registry with the assembly A and when the bottom edge or surface of the magnet 26A magnetically engages the press bed 34A. The templet 47 and assembly 10A are brought into proper registry in a known manner, as for example, by utilizing the die A as a templet locator projecting above a shoulder surface 49 of lower arm 14A, which surface is substantially flush with the upper surface 43 of the magnet 26A. When the templet is in proper registry with the assembly, the die 20A extends through a selected hole 51 of templet 47, thereby to rigidly secure a plurality of assemblies 10A in selected positions relative to each other while the magnet 26A also serves to secure theassembly 10A to the press bed 34A by means of both the pin 40 and the templet 47. This construction eliminates any need for the pin 36 and hole 38 of the FIG. 1 embodiment.

In the FIG. 4 embodiment, there is no transverse pin, such as pin 40 of the FIG. 3 embodiment, extending through the slot 24A. It will be understood that such a pin is not necessary because the magnet is elfective to secure the templet 47 to the press bed 34A and the templet 47 in turn serves to secure the assembly 10A to the press bed.

In FIG. 5, I show a third embodiment of my invention in which a pair of magnets 26C and 26D are attached to intersecting faces 44 and 45 of a die shoe 46 of a notching unit generally indicated by the numeral 43. The notching unit per se is well-known in the art. I provide a pair of laterally spaced transverse pins 48 rigidly mounted to and protruding from the intersecting faces 44 and 45 of the die shoe 46 and each of the pins 48 terminate in an enlarged head or forward portion 50 spaced only a sufficient distance from the corresponding die shoe face 44 or 45 in order to receive the shouldered portions 32C-33C and 32D-33D respectively in order to secure the magnets 26C and 26D functionally in the .same position as was dfiscribed with regard to the FIG.

l embodiment of my invention. It will be understood that in this manner the magnets are conveniently positioned for magnetically retaining the notching unit onto the press bed. The magnet 26D is very easily removable for use with other similar notching units.

Another novel combination of the FIG. 5 embodiment is a templet locator pin 55 provided on a top surface of magnet 26C or a templet locator or pin 56 on the top of a plate 63; magnet 26C and plate 53 are rigidly mounted on the intersecting faces 44 and of the die shoe 46. Magnet 26C is removably mounted to the die shoe 45 by a bolt 52 which passes through a hole in the magnet 26C and into a threaded hole of die shoe 45. The arrangement has the advantage over the magnet 26D for magnetically retaining a templet 58 (FIG. 6) in a similar manner to the FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 embodiments.

The plate 53 is sufiiciently spaced above the magnet to permit convenient removal of the magnet 26D. Each of the pins or locators 55 and 56 are adapted to be received within holes 59 (FIG. 6) provided in the templet 58 thereby to orient the notching unit 43 with respect to other notching and/ or punching units. In order to orient each of the perforating units 10 relative to each other and the notching unit 43, the templet 58 is provided with holes or openings adapted to receive the tie buttons 20 in the manner described with respect to the FIGS. 3 and 4 embodiments.

In FIG. 6, I have illustrated a templet spacer 62 having a magnet 64 rigidly mounted on the bottom thereof and having a threaded aperture in the top receiving a threaded hold down screw 65 adapted to pass through a suitable opening provided in the templet 58. Spacer 62 thereby provides auxiliary means for supporting the templet 58 at the outer edge or any suitable place. It will be understood that the top of hold down screw 65 is substantially the same height as the die buttons 20 and of the perforating units and the pins 55 and 56 of the notching units.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of mechanism of my invention it will be apparent that various. modifications and changes may be made therein particularly in the form and relation of parts, without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a unitary punch and die cutting assembly for use between the bed and ram of a press, a removable magnet and means including abutment means for removably retaining said magnet in said assembly in a manner magnetically retaining said assembly to said press bed and for permitting removal of said magnet from engagement with said abutment means while said abutment means remains fixed in said assembly.

2. A perforating assembly in accordance with claim 6 in which said means comprises coactive abutments on said magnet and in said opening for magnetically retaining said assembly on said press and only for upward removal of said magnet from said opening upwardly.

3. In a unitary punch and die cutting assembly for use between the bed and ram of a press, a removable magnet and means for retaining said magnet with said assembly in a manner magneticaly retaining said assembly to said press bed including an assembly positioning templet, said magnet when in said magnetically retaining position having an upper surface adapted to magnetically retain said templet when in proper registry with said assembly.

4. In a unitary punch and die cutting assembly for use between the bed and ram of a press, a removable magnet and means for retaining said magnet in said assembly in a manner adapted only for upward removal of said magnet from said assembly while said assembly is in an operative position on the press bed and for magnetically retaining said assembly to said press bed.

5. An assembly in accordance with claim 3 in which said means comprises a pair of spaced abutments on said assembly and a pair of spaced shoulders on said magnet adapted to coactively engage said abutments to magnetically retain said magnet and assembly to said press.

6. A unitary perforating assembly foruse between the bed and ram of a press, said assembly having an upper and a lower arm in which are respectively mounted a punch and die, a vertical opening extending through said lower arm, a removable magnet adapted to be received in said opening, and means between said opening and magnet for removably retaining said magnet in said assembly in a manner magnetically retaining said assembly to said press bed.

7. A perforating assembly in accordance with claim 6 including an opening in said upper arm opening in registry with said first mentioned opening, said upper arm opening being adapted to pass said magnet to the lower arm opening.

8. An assembly in accordance with claim 6 in which said means comprises a pin mounted transversely of said opening, and an upwardly disposed slot in said magnet for receiving said pin and coactively retain said assembly on said press.

9. An assembly in accordance with claim 6 in which said means comprises a pair of spaced pins mounted transversely of said opening and abutment means formed on said magnet coactive with said pins for magnetically retaining said assembly on said press and only for upward removal of said magnet from said opening.

10. A unitary perforating assembly for use between the bed and ram of a-press, said assembly having an upper and a lower arm in which are respectively mounted a punch and die, said arms defining a throat for receiving a work piece, a vertical opening extending through said lower arm, a removable magnet adapted to be received in said opening and means between said opening and magnet for retaining said magnet in said assembly in a manner magnetically retaining said assembly to said press bed, said magnet when in said magnetically retaining position having an upper surface adapted to magnetically retain an assembly positioning templet when in proper registry with said assembly.

11. A perforating assembly in accordance with claim 10 including an opening in said upper arm in registry with said first mentioned opening, said upper arm opening being adapted to pass said magnet to the lower arm opening.

12. A unitary perforating assembly for use between the bed and ram of a press, said assembly having an upper and a lower arm in which are respectively mounted a punch and die, said arms defining a throat for receiving a workpiece, saiddie projecting above said lower arm to provide a templet locator, a vertical opening extending through said lower arm, a removable magnet adapted to be received in said opening, and means between said opening and magnet for retaining said magnet in said assembly in a manner magnetically retaining said assembly to said press bed, said magnet when in said magnetically retaining position having an upper surface adapted to magnetically retain said templet when a selected locator hole therein receives said die.

13. A perforating assembly in accordance with claim 12 including a shoulder surface of said lower arm substantially flush with said magnet when in said magnetically retaining position.

14. A unitary notching assembly for use between the bed and ram of a press, said assembly having upper and lower arms in which are respectively mounted a punch and die, a pair of removable magnets, and means for removably mounting said magnets on intersecting side faces of said notching assembly for coactively retaining said assembly on said press bed magnetically.

15. For combination with a unitary punch and die cutting assembly having a lower arm with a vertical slot therethrough and an assembly positioning templet, a magnet of a configuration adapted to be received within said slot and having a lower surface substantially flush with the bottom of said lower arm when an upper sur face thereof is adapted to magnetically retain said templet when said templet is in proper registry with said assembly, thereby to magnetically secure said templet and assembly to a press bed.

16. A unitary notching assembly for use between the bed and ram of a press, said assembly having upper and lower arms in which are respectively mounted a punch and die, a pair of removable magnets, and means for removably mounting said magnets on intersecting faces of said notching assembly for coactively retaining said assembly on said press bed magnetically; and at least one of said magnets has a templet locator adapted to be received in a locator hole of an assembly positioning templet.

17. A unitary notching assembly for use between the bed and ram of a press, said assembly having upper and lower arms in which are respectively mounted a punch and die, a pair of removable magnets, and means for removably mounting said magnets on intersecting faces of said notching assembly for coactively retaining said assembly on said press bed magnetically; and at least one of said magnets has an upper surface adapted to magnetically retain an assembly positioning templet when in proper registry with said assembly.

18. In a unitary punch and die cutting assembly for use between the bed and ram of a press, means including a magnet on said assembly adapted for magnetically retaining said assembly to said press bed and coactive with a templet positioning means for magnetically retaining an assembly positioning templet in proper registry with said assembly.

19. In a unitary punch and die cutting assembly for use between the bed and ram of a press, templet locator means on said assembly for positioning a templet relative to said assembly and a magnet on said assembly adapted for magnetically retaining said templet in proper registry with said assembly and for magnetically retaining said assembly to said press bed.

20. In a unitary punch and die cutting assembly for use between the bed and ram of a press, a removable magnet and means for removably retaining said magnet with said assembly in a manner magnetically retaining said assembly to said press bed, said means when integral with said assembly permitting removal of said magnet from said assembly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,364,834 12/1944 Whistler et al. 83-699 X 2,732,015 1/ 1956 Whistler et al 83138 3,089,376 5/1963 Whistler et al 83-699 X 

1. IN A UNITARY PUNCH AND DIE CUTTING ASSEMBLY FOR USE BETWEEN THE BED AND RAM OF A PRESS, A REMOVABLE MAGNET AND MEANS INCLUDING ABUTMENT MEANS FOR REMOVABLY RETAINING SAID MAGNET IN SAID ASSEMBLY IN A MANNER MAGNETICALLY RETAINING SAID ASSEMBLY TO SAID PRESS BED AND FOR PERMITTING REMOVAL OF SAID MAGNET FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ABUTMENT MEANS WHILE SAID ABUTMENT MEANS REMAINS FIXED IN SAID ASSEMBLY. 